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The Fifth Scandalous Mystery

Jesus has been invited into a Pharisee’s home. But immediately we are told a sinner woman came to Jesus weeping and next bathed his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed and anointed them. Simon the Pharisee is secretly scandalized. He thinks to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Our Lord knows what is going through his mind and tells him a quick parable about two debtors, one owing more than the other. He asks, if are both forgiven “Which of them would love him more?” Simon answers it is probably the one with the larger debt. Jesus agrees and connects the parable and question to the woman. By comparison with Simon, she has demonstrated the greater love. He shocks everyone by saying that her sins are forgiven. Only God can forgive sins. There is a certain recrimination against Simon when Jesus says, “But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He is challenging Simon to reflect upon his own spiritual state. Notice that this sinner woman had no trouble entering Simon’s house. How is that? I suspect it was because the servants recognized her and that she was regularly a visitor, not so much as a guest but for Simon’s secret pleasure. There is a story here that has been left unsaid.

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